Door striker (2 types?)

[D.martijn]

Hello guys,

 

As I went through my parts pile I noticed I have two different types of door latch strikers laying around.

The left one (metal) came from the car (74 2002 Touring), but I'm wondering if the other (aluminium) striker is also correct period on or an early type one?

Cant find much about this on google/ the faq

 

Could some one elaborate on this?

 

thank you

 

[TobyB]

Yeah, I think the cast aluminum is the early version- 

like you, I found one of the folded steel ones in a parts bin, and said, 'huh?'

But I parted a late '74 a long time back, and figured that's where the steel version came from.

 

t

 

[conkitchen]

FWIW: the 2002 version can break. The e21 320 version is stronger and works too.

 

Just my 02 cents 

[TobyB]

Oh- is the steel one from a 320?  I have taken a few of those apart, too...

 

t

 

[conkitchen]

26 minutes ago, TobyB said:

Oh- is the steel one from a 320?  I have taken a few of those apart, too...

 

t

 

Yes sir it is and has a reinforced design to it. 

[TobyB]

Well, cool- thanks!

 

t

[D.martijn]

9 hours ago, conkitchen said:

FWIW: the 2002 version can break. The e21 320 version is stronger and works too.

 

Just my 02 cents 

 

8 hours ago, TobyB said:

Oh- is the steel one from a 320?  I have taken a few of those apart, too...

 

t

 

 

So if I would like to be period correct I should use the aluminium one?

I'll go ahead and replate the E21 strikers too, whenever an aluminium one might break I'll replace it.

 

Thanks!

[gregory891]

Would anyone have a pair of the early style, if not - the left is more needed (to have a matching pair on my car).

[kbmb02]

On 3/8/2017 at 6:26 PM, TobyB said:

Oh- is the steel one from a 320?  I have taken a few of those apart, too...

 

 

On 3/8/2017 at 5:16 PM, conkitchen said:

FWIW: the 2002 version can break. The e21 320 version is stronger and works too.

 

Just my 02 cents 

 

Data point: In my experience, the steel ‘folded’ units are also found on late 2002’s (ie: the last four square taillight cars had the steel type). I’ve seen the early aluminum (pot metal?) units break, but not the stronger one. -KB

[gregory891]

Looking at my microfilms and the PDF version of them, it would appear that the cast type are for VERY early cars, there are specific VIN changeovers.  Looking at this, these would be likely applicable to 1967 and 1968 cars - I didn't try to figure out the month of production for either Euro or North American spec cars.

[kbmb02]

1 hour ago, gregory891 said:

Looking at my microfilms and the PDF version of them, it would appear that the cast type are for VERY early cars, there are specific VIN changeovers.  Looking at this, these would be likely applicable to 1967 and 1968 cars - I didn't try to figure out the month of production for either Euro or North American spec cars.

 

I have seen three versions:

 

1 - very-early cast version (these are smaller - 3 fasteners, if I recall correctly)

2 - ‘common’ design, cast / pot metal

3 - ‘common’ design, steel

 

(photo below of #2/3, that breakage is not uncommon) -KB

 

 

[JsnPpp]

So, I bought new BMW OEM strikers for my '73 only to find that they are different than what was there. They are also different than the 3 shown in this post. 

 

The new ones are folded steel and appear to be reinforced on one side of the latch post.

 

I'm replacing the ones on the car because the posts are a bit worn. It doesn't totally bother me to have such a different design but it also does too, a little bit. 🙂 

 

Curious if the new style is all thats available or ?

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by JsnPpp

[Conserv]

Jason,

 

I’m not able to answer your question about new strikers, but re-plating the old strikers in clear zinc would make them look “just like new”. So there’s that option. 😉

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[JsnPpp]

2 hours ago, Conserv said:

Jason,

 

I’m not able to answer your question about new strikers, but re-plating the old strikers in clear zinc would make them look “just like new”. So there’s that option. 😉

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Thanks Steve. I may end up going there! 

 

[gregory891]

FYI, very early cars have the cast striker, the later one you received is the later improved safety version.  If you are restoring a car and want ALL details to be right, you have a choice.  Regardless, don't make the punter mistake and mix/match.  I'm finishing a long term restoration of a 1600 ti and all details needed to match, so I kept the cast style.